After winning the Class A boys basketball state championship the past four seasons in a row, and seven of the last eight, maybe it's fun for Omaha Central to perceived as an underdog as we begin the postseason.

Mostly likely not - winners never want to be anything but winners - but still.

In my mind you can throw a the winner's blanket over Central, Omaha South, Omaha Benson and Omaha Westside, there should be room for all four of them, with Lincoln Southeast making a late, noteworthy charge.

Omaha Central head coach Eric Behrens knows his way around the postseason and he likes the makeup of his 2013-14 squad, though he expects the Eagles to be challenged in the A-2 district, which Central hosts.

"We have a very tough district, opening up with Lincoln Southwest and if we are able to win that one we'll face a tough Omaha Northwest or Lincoln North Star team," says Coach Behrens. "We will have to be determined, unselfish and up for the challenge to get out of districts and advance to state this year. This has been a real unselfish group, real coachable, and it emphasizes winning and team goals above individual accomplishments."

As usual, Central has its share of headliners, led by all-stater Tre'Shawn Thurman but Coach Behrens reminds he and the team's second-leading scorer, Jarek Coles have plenty of help.

"Austin McGaugh, Malik Harris and Reath Nyoach are three of our unsung leaders," says Coach Behrens. TreShawn and Jarek are our leading scorers but Austin, Malik and Reath do a ton to help this team win and have been unselfish and patient as they've waited to get into the varsity rotation at Central until their senior year.

"They are outstanding young men and really represent Central well."

Since the calendar flipped to 2014 no Class A team has been hotter than Omaha Westside. The Warriors have won 13 of 14, the only loss to powerful Omaha South, and have beaten Central and 19-4 Norfolk along the way.

"Overall we have a balanced team that believes in one another, with our eight seniors really giving us great leadership. Our guys have bought into the chemistry thing and know how important it is to our success," says Westside head coach Brian Nemecek "Our team defense is our strength and it's gotten better as the season has progressed."

Westside will host the A-4 district and is the tournament favorite, though the cautionary tale reminds you No. 2 seed Millard South owns a win over the Warriors. But that was back in the Metro tournament, before the calendar flipping.

"This is going to be a tough, competitive district tournament and we are going to need to play strong defense and rebound well in order to win out," says Coach Nemecek.

Bob Sez: At its best, South has been the best team in Class A this season. Prep is always going to play you tough but the Packers will survive that test in the finals. (Of note, Grand Island DID take Benson into overtime this season...)

Bob Sez: At its best, Westside has been the best team in Class A this season. That said, Millard South beat the Warriors, 56-49, way back in the Metro tournament, before Westside won 13 of its last 14.

Bob Sez: Last season's Class B state champ, top seed South Sioux has represented itself well in Class A this season. That said, Northeast will be a tough out for the Cardinals and Burke is probably the best team in the district. We'll see.

Bob Sez: Here is where things get tricky. Norfolk wrecked its chances of hosting the district, losing to 10-13 Lincoln Northeast and 5-17 Omaha Bryan, the latter at home, on the last weekend of the regular season. Since Southeast beat Norfolk 61-59 in overtime back on Jan. 24 the Knights have won nine of 10, the loss to powerful Omaha South.